TILT-UP CONSTRUCTION - Brock White

Form LinersApplication GuideTilt-Up applications ApplicationSingle use SPS plastic is most frequently used for Tilt-Up applications. Basic procedures for attachment are as follows:1. Identify the pour side of the form liner. The pour side can be identified by the roughened, “hair cell” texture or as the sidewith the highest resolution in the pattern. The shiny or slick side of the liner will be placed against the slab or formwork.2. Because of the nature of plastic to expand and contract, it may be necessary for the material to be trimmed. The easiest wayto cut is to use a circular hand saw (skill saw) with a fine tooth, plywood blade such as the type used for cutting fine veneerpaneling. Form liner without much relief may be trimmed by scoring with a sharp knife and breaking off the excess.3. The effects of temperature, thermal expansion and contraction must be considered. The size of the liner will expand andcontract approximately 1/16” in 10’ with each 10° temperature change. Form liner should be installed at about the sametemperature as expected during the placement of concrete. Early morning is recommended.4. In Tilt-Up applications, the recommended method of form liner attachment is to place the liner on the slab, drill a hole throughthe liner and into the concrete, place a wooden dowel into the drilled hole, break the dowel off flush with the surface, andthen use a large-headed roofing nail to hold the liner in place.5. Double-sided foam tape may be used for Tilt-Up jobs. Make sure the casting slab and form liner are clean, dry and free ofdust.6. Heavy duct tape can be applied to the form liner at joints on the slab or formwork side. This is the recommended methodfor pre-assembling large liners for precast or Tilt-Up beds. The liner is assembled upside down and alongside the bed andthen rolled into the formwork.7. Seal all joints and contain liner on all sides so that concrete cannot move under it. Be sure the liner is flat against the castingsurface, insuring that no deformations are present in the form liner. Do not allow form liner to move around freely.Concrete DesignThe design of the concrete mix will affect the finished form liner appearance because it causes changes in workability, pressure,color, set and strength.Load concrete onto the form liner from the centers, moving the concrete towards the outside perimeter with rakes. Do not allowconcrete to be pushed under the form liner at joints.Form LinersArchitectural Concrete02-09101